The carbon-injection process for removing mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants has been successfully completed at the University of Illinois Abbott Power Plant, in the US. The technology demonstration trials tested a commercial activated carbon and a corn-derived activated carbon developed by researchers at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) and the university. This full-scale test capped a five-year collaborative effort to develop low-cost adsorbents for the removal of mercury," said Massoud Rostam-Abadi, chemical engineer and the head of energy and environmental engineering for the ISGS. Previously the researchers had tested the suitability of activated carbons derived from sources such as used tires and pistachio shells.